A few days ago, an old newspaper came into my hands. It was The Times dated 15 October 1990. What struck me first was the date since it was my birthday, but as soon I started turning the pages – on page 18 to be precise – I couldn’t help reading more than once what was reported by a staff reporter.

The heading read “MLP in crusade against drug traffickers”. Since a certain amount of time has elapsed since 1990, I feel I should recount what was written in this newspaper.

“Labour Party leader Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici yesterday appealed to parents and youths of goodwill to join the MLP in its ‘crusade’ against drug traffickers and whoever was protecting them.

“Dr Mifsud Bonnici was speaking at the opening of an anti-drugs exhibition which is being held at the MLP club in Tarxien. The exhibition is organised by the party’s information group against drug abuse in collaboration with the Tarxien club educational branch.

“Dr Mifsud Bonnici said that unfortunately the drug problem in Malta had grown, because the authorities, he alleged, instead of taking serious steps to curb it, were keeping their eyes closed to people who were importing and trafficking drugs and becoming rich at the expense of the health of young people.”

Honest to God, I did not know whether to have a giggling fit or weep buckets-full when I read what was written 16 years ago. The authorities are trying to curb the drug problem but I do not think that enough is being done about it.

We have a drug problem even larger than the island itself but in 16 years, instead of progress we have regression where drugs are concerned. I wonder what, if Dr Mifsud Bonnici were Labour Party leader now, he would have to say about the “dying swans” whose lives are being terminated because of drugs?

Valerie Borg

MLP Councillor

Valletta